Property angle in murder of UP MLA’s wife?

Investigation into the murder of Rehana Begum, the 40-year-old wife of BSP MLA from Bulandshahr, Haji Alim Choudhary, has revealed that she was allegedly involved in a dispute with her husband over the house in which she was found murdered, police sources said.

Rehana’s body was discovered in their northeast Delhi house on Wednesday morning. The autopsy report confirmed that she died of bullet injuries. Two bullets were lodged in her chest and head from a .32 bore pistol.

Besides the bullet wounds, she was stabbed 12 times in her back and neck, which has given the police reasons to believe that robbery was not the prime motive behind the murder.

“The property was registered in Rehana’s name but her husband reportedly wanted her to cooperate with him in selling the flat. She did not want to sell the house,” said a police officer, adding the prime focus of their investigation has now narrowed down to the property dispute, though they have not ruled out other motives.

Already suspecting the involvement of someone from, or close to, Choudhary’s family, investigators on Thursday had asked the MLA, his two brothers and his two sons from his first wife to join the investigation by Friday morning.

The police questioned all the five separately and their statements were recorded. While the MLA was questioned about the property dispute and his relationship with Rehana, his brother Yunus was asked to explain the reason for visiting their Delhi house hours after the MLA left for Haj on October 7.

“Yunus had stayed in the house for the night and left in the morning on October 8. He has been asked to share details about his locations on October 8 and October 9 morning,” the officer added.